Parents' received and expected information about their child's radiation exposure during radiographic examinations

Abstract

Background: Despite regulations, insufficient information is provided to adult patients prior to their radiologic examinations. Information regarding paediatric patients has not been systematically studied.

Objective: To survey parents' experience and wishes for information in connection with their child's radiographic examination.

Materials and methods: We provided a questionnaire to consenting parents of children younger than 12 years old at a university hospital. The questionnaire asked parents about the information obtained from the referrer prior to the radiograph, the chance to discuss with the referrer and their wishes regarding future information. Forty-one parents responded to the survey. Twenty-five children were referred for radiography of extremities, the others for dental, body and skull examinations.

Results: Altogether 34/41 (83%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 69-91%) parents said they received adequate information on the purpose of the examination, 8/35 (23%, 95% CI 12-39%) on other options and 3/41 (7%, 95% CI 3-19%) on radiation dose. Ten of 41 parents (24%, 95% CI 12-40%) said they were aware of radiation exposure. The number of previous radiology examinations was not sufficiently discussed. The communication was scored as mean 6.5 (95% CI 5.8-7.1) on a scale from 4 (poor) to 10 (excellent). Thirty-eight of 40 (95%, 95% CI 84-99%) of parents expected information on the purpose, 35/40 (88%, 95% CI 74-95%) on radiation dose and 31/40 (78%, 95% CI 63-88%) on other options. Symbols of radiation and corresponding period of natural background radiation are preferred to convey the dose. A referrer is the preferred source of information.

Conclusion: Parents did not feel adequately informed prior to their child's radiographic examination. Parents expect more information about the purpose, dose and alternative tests.

Keywords: Children; Communication; Informed consent; Ionising radiation; Radiography.

Fig. 1

The table included in the questionnaire demonstrates four forms to convey the dose of radiation. The parents were able to choose one or many options

Fig. 2

Information received from the referrer (5-steps Likert scale was used). The parents were mostly informed about the purpose of the examination but only seldom about the dose of radiation or other possible options (green indicates positive replies). The information received had been understandable

Fig. 3

Results regarding the adequacy of discussion with the referrer (5-steps Likert scale was used). There had been most discussion about the symptoms of the child and the purpose of the examination

Fig. 4

Wishes of the parents regarding information received from the referrer (5-steps Likert scale was used). Most of the parents expect information on the purpose, dose and other possible options